Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: With new coach, Liberty Union hoping to turn things around

BALTIMORE - A year after reaching the playoffs two years ago, Liberty Union slipped to just 3-7 in 2017, but five of those losses came to playoff teams, and all were competitive.

Enter Daniel Shirey, a Liberty Union alum who played and coached under long-time Liberty Union coach Dan Johnson, who he calls a mentor. Shirey also coached for the Lions under Bryan Johnson and was an assistant coach the last two seasons at Millersport. Bryan Johnson (no relation to Dan Johnson) left Liberty Union to take the Westerville North head coaching position.

This is a dream job for Shirey, and his goal is obviously to turn the Lions’ fortunes around after a tough season a year ago.

It won’t be easy, but he is impressed with the way things are going and has high expectations for the Lions this season.

“The transition has been straightforward and easy,” Shirey said. “Our guys know football, and they are working extremely hard. They have picked up the new offense and defense we are going to be running this year, and things are starting to come together. They are starting to understand what we are trying to accomplish on both sides of the ball and they all want to win.

“We have 13 seniors, and those guys have been leaders, have been vocal throughout the entire two-a-day process, and they are pushing the younger players. We are blessed to have a great group of young kids coming through to help push and create that competition in practice which will make us better. Overall, all the players have taken to the new staff and me. They have done everything we’ve asked them to do.”

Under Johnson, the Lions ran a spread offense, but Shirey said that won’t be the case this year, instead opting to run out of a pro-set, I formation. He has confidence the offense is in good hands with returning senior quarterback Caleb Shook.

“Just the leadership he brings to the team is unquestioned,” Shirey said. “He commands the offense in the huddle, and our guys know he is the guy. He has a calming personality, and he keeps everyone on the team calm. He makes plays constantly, and he is very smart with the football. He reads well, he is going to find the open receiver.

“He has all the leadership skills you want in a quarterback, and he has the type of personality that people gravitate to him. His leadership skills will be the key to our success.”

The Lions also return a pair of stellar senior offensive lineman in Brenden McLean and Kaleb Waits. Sophomore Casey Fleahman was thrust into action at running back as a freshman, and he is expected to take the next with a year’s experience.

However, while the offense seems to be in good hands, Shirey said the Lions will rely on its defense and special teams to set the tone.

The Lions will run a milt-front defense, which gives them a lot of flexibility. Sophomore Cameron Davis will anchor the defensive line, while Lonnie Lawhorn and Jaidon Billingsley are returning starters in the secondary.

“We are going to lean heavily on our defense and special teams,” Shirey said. “If you can win on special teams, normally that means you have field position, and that goes a long way in scoring points and keeping the other team on the other side of the field. Special teams have been a huge point of emphasis for us early on. Defense is going to be our identity. We are going to hit you in the mouth and get after it, defensively.

“Our offense will have big-play capabilities, but we want to control the clock. There are a lot of teams that run the spread, and it is go-go, but we want to slow those type of teams down so they can’t get in a rhythm. We want to try and disrupt that with our ball control offense.”

Team outlook: The Lions begin a new era with Liberty Union alum and first-year coach Daniel Shirey. After struggling through a 3-7 campaign in 2017, the Lions seem to have enough pieces in place to be competitive, and if senior quarterback Caleb Shook leading the way, the offense could shock a lot of people. However, the defense will be the ultimate deciding factor to see if the Lions can take the next step.